Saint Vigilius church, Roman Catholic church in Pinzolo, Italy
Saint Vigilius church is a Roman Catholic building in Pinzolo featuring a rectangular layout with three aisles supported by granite columns and pointed arches. The structure was expanded using stone from Val Genova and incorporates marble elements from Ragoli.
The church was founded in 1362 and underwent major expansion in 1515 when granite from nearby sources became available for construction. This building phase shows the growing wealth and devotion of the local community during that period.
The Medieval facade displays frescoes with the Dance of Death by Simone Baschenis from 1539, a theme that speaks to the passing of life. These wall paintings shape the appearance of the building and reveal how people once thought about mortality.
The building sits in the Pinzolo cemetery in a quiet location that is easy to reach on foot. Access is straightforward and there is plenty of space to view both the exterior and interior in a relaxed manner.
The Dance of Death here differs notably from other European versions because the deceased speaks directly rather than engaging in dialogue with the living. This unusual approach makes the fresco a rare example of how regional artistic traditions interpreted this popular medieval theme.
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